SIR WILLIAM JERVOIS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 30, 16 November 1888, Page 17

SIR WILLIAM JERVOIS.

t BANQUET was given in Christchurch on Saturday evening to Sir William Jervois who is on the eve of his departure from this Colony. Sir William takes with him the good wishes and the good word of all our settlers, and leaves behind him a memory that it may form the desire of future Governors to equal. He has given ample proofs that he had deserved the high position he occupied by his own merits, and that no extraneous influence had been necessary to obtain it for him. But Bir William Jervois, by no fault of his, has seen the Colony only under unfavourable circumstances. During his tenure of office the depression has more or less prevailed and we are convinced that no one more than his Excellency will join in the hope that his successor may be destined to preside over a better state of things. Sir William, meantime, in his speech at the Christchurch banquet, referred to the true basis on which the welfare of the Colony must rest, and without whose sound and lasting settlement there can be no prosperity before us. We allude to the land laws by which the Governor said the people of the Colony were endeavouring to promote the interests of the country. That the future of the country depends entirely on the nature of these laws no one will venture to deny. In the disposal of the land its very life is centred and there is nothing more important to engage the attention of every class, as, indeed, also of people elsewhere who have an intention of emigrating. But, unfortunately, there is no very good reason for us to believe that the land laws are in a satisfactory condition. Acts and amended Acts we have, it is true, in abundance, but it may well be questioned as to whether the whole sum of legislation that exists on the subject might not be swept away with profit, and one short but clear and comprehensive measure passed in its place. With all the Acts and amended Acts that exist it still is a difficult matter for those who desire it to obtain good land on reasonable terms, and, what is worse, it is difficult also fur men who have obtained suitable land with a good deal of difficulty and made improvements and formed settlements on it, to retain what has cost them so much labour. We shall consider it anything but a sign of prosperity and a promise of future welfare, for example, if one of the first effects of the better condition of things for which we are all so anxiously looking forward, now with sumo renewal of hope, proves to be the baying up, even byj mmngrantb posseted of capital,

of the homesteads which many of our colonists have laboured hard to make, but, owing to the badness of the times and the defects in the land laws, may not be found able to keep. This is a matter, for example, that will require serious consideration during the next session of Parliament, and which should be urged upon the attention of Government. The speech of the Premier at the banquet to which we refer, meantime, was not one to inspire much confidence among his hearers. It was rather negative in its tone, and dealt more with explanations and apologies relating to the past than with any ameliorated prospects in view. We may, nevertheless, hope that the retrenchments, for which Sir Hariv Atkinson takes so much credit to himself and his colleagues, and which, he says, it was such " terrible work " to perform, will turn-out as satisfactory as expected. But we cannot help thinking 'that if the civil servants discharged were, in fact, the capable men and good servants that Sir Harry says they were, their loss must inevitably be felt, and the public service must suffer. The only valid excuse for discharging these servants is that they were men superfluously employed. But this the future alone, sooner or later, can determine, and we shall hope for the best. As to the reductions made in the salaries — from the Governor down — that also hrn its other side. Anything, in short, that tends to cut down earnings generally— to encourage the sweating system, for example, is to be deprecated, and it is to be feared that these reductions may have such an effect. They will certainly give an impetus to the nefarious desire for cheapness—and a large class of the population, the civil servants, will necessarily be driven to practise such economies. Their wants will remain the same, but their means will be much diminished. Will Lady Onslow, for example, be excused by the ladies of the tlite if she appears in a bonnet of less splendour than those worn by Lady Jervois, whose income was a third greater ? And if the appointments at Government House are diminished in taste or richness, is there not danger that visitors there will come away in something of the frame of mind shown by Aunt Di>.ah on witnessing the thrift of Miss Ophelia— <• These here Northern ladies ain't ladies no how ? " The reductions, then, as well as the dismissals, have their reverse side. As to Sir Harry's explanation of the exodus from the colony it was not at all to the point. The exodus does not consist, as he said, only of young men going out to see the world. It is largely made up of men and women long since weary of seeing the world, but forced to go out, not to see, but to seek for food and clothing. And it is not a hopeful circumstance that the Premier makes light of a serious situation — whether be understands it or not.

In conclusion, we regret the termination of the period of office which removes Sir William Jervois from our shores, and heartily wish his Excellency happiness in whatever sphere it may be his lot or his choice to fill.

The Dominican Convent bazaar will be held in the Garrison Hall, Dunedin, on the closing days of the month, when the nuns hope that their friends will come generously to their assistance. The object of the bazaar, as already stated by us, is to form the nucleus of> fund for building the class-rooms and dormitories provided for in the plan of the convent, of which not quite one half has been completed in the present building. The services of the nuns to the community generally need not be recalled. They are well before the citizens of Dunedin in the numbers of highly accomplished young ladies who move in society, and who owe. in many caees, the whole, and in several at least the completion, of their education to the Dominican community. We may, indeed, claim, withoat fear of contradiction, that the community have done their part well in the work of culture and refinement. It is, therefore, not only due to them but to society generally, that when they seek to increase the sphere of their usefulness by providing additional accommodation, the aid they need should be given them. Arrangements are being made to produce the grand march to take place on the occasion with magnificence, and generally to provide for the entertainment of visitors. The music, we need hardly say, will be very fine, several leading amateurs, as well as the pupils of the convent, having promised to give their services. The following gentlemen have kindly consented to further the arrangements personally, or by every means in their power :— Messrs. J. B. Callan, F. W. Petre, M. Fagan, F. MeenaD, J. Carroll, W. J. Hall, J. Liston, H. Robinson, P. McAlister, R. A Dnnne, Davy, C. Columb, Brookes, W. Cantwell, Ward, J. F. Perrim J. Murray, T. Deehan, J. J. Connor, D. W. Woods.

Our contemporary the Brooklyn Catholic Review has lately quoted from the London Evening News, for the amusement of its readers, as it says, a tale told by the " Rev. Oswald Keatinge " as to bis initiation as a Jesuit. The " Rev. Oswald Keatinge " ia undoubtedly a smart person, though we may doubt as to whether the results of his

smart nesa are always found very amusing by those wh erience them — to wit, that Evangelical congregation to whom the rev. gentleman lately ministered in Dublin. We do cot think, moreover, that Catholic readers, if they will duly consider the matter, can find much to amuse them in the light and lying inventions published by a notorious gaol-bird as to Catholic matters, and into which a venerable religious Order, and even the saints of God themselves are introduced. There are many men on the Evangelical stump who do not fail in smartness. There is, for example, Nobbs, alias Widows, eclipsed, however, for a time, as at present he is undergoing a sentence of ten years, incurred by him lately when acting as pastor of a con" venticle called the Martin Luther Church, and in a way not to be spoken of but habitual to him, as his gaol record shows. There is also one Dr. Hammond who has recently re-appeared after an interval of some ten or twelve years, consequent on certain circumstances tha^ occurred in connection with a certain relic of the True Cross, and in which the late Father William Browne, of Stamford, took a leading part. The inventions of these people are not, as a rule, wanting in smartness, but that is no reason why they should be quoted without comment and for the mere amusement of Catholic readers. If they need a reply, as in general they do not, being but the claptrap suited to those dregs of Evangelicalism that find their level in the kennel, let them be gravely replied to. Otherwise contempt will have its best expression in silence. We cannot think that any decent Catholic* on reflection, will consider himself acting consistently in seeking amusement from the ribald inventions of a ticket-of-leave man like Keatinge, or a man whom it is impossible to describe in any respectable company like Nobbs or Widows, or any other scandalous fellow of their kind. Let the No-Popery platform that is so occupied be the source of amusement to people who find themselves at home in such company, bnt let Catholics avoid it. We are, therefore, unable to congratulate our contemporary, the Catholic Review, on the quotation alluded to. It seems to us quite out of keeping with our contemporary's truly Catholic and elevated tone.

By the death of the Earl of Lucan, just announced, Ireland loses one of the cruelest and most unrelenting evictors ever known by her oppressed people. The old man may have gone to the grave covered with military glory, — for they say he was a brave soldier — but be hag left behind the records of a life stained by tyranny, accompanied by the cries of the widow and orphan, and the pangs of the victims of famine and pestilence. This, we know, is not in accordance with the old pagan motto, adopted amoDg ourselves by a false and unCbristian charity, Be viortuis nil nisi bonuvi. But it is the incontrovertible truth, as a desert in Mayo can witness — and many graves beneath the ocean and in foreign lands.

A petition, we see, is being signed in Auckland on behalf of Sir Charles Burdett, severely sentenced for having gathered a few flowers in a public place. The sentence, even if allowed by law, was outrageous in the extreme. In fact it would be much better not to ornament parks and public places by planting flowers in them, if a consequent necessity bo that of punishing people severely. The offence of gathering flowers is one that no one of any common sensa can look upon as extreme in itself. In fact there are people, and respectable people, too, who cannot be brought to look upon it as an offence at all. To bring people, therefore, into the danger of incurring a heavy sentence and losing their characters by Buch a trifling and almcet ludicrous matter ia unfair and unjuet. If the flowers cannot be otherwise preserved, public places can very well do without them. Sir Charles Burdett should be released at once, and with an apology for the treatment given him.

We are happy to see that a determined resistance, i 3 being offered by Queensland to the appointment of Sir Henry Blake, knigbted for the occasion, as Governor of that colony. That favourite of Hymen may be made recognise, even for his own benefit, that to act as a traitor lo his country under the auspices of Dublin Castle, is not the way for a man to deserve the veneration of mankind in general. It is to be hoped Sir Thomas Mcllwraith, the Queensland Premier, and his supporters will prove successful, as they probably will, in thia matter, which concerns the colonies generally,

Another back-down on the part of the triple 8.8. is evident in the release of Mr. W. Redmond — refractory though he had proved himself — whose sentence does not terminate till Christmas eve. Bomba the Brave and Bloody has clearly felt the force of public opinion, and having been balked by i*- in his fell designs, as revealed by Mr. Blunt, is now discouraged in proceeding even half-way. Kill or cure having failed him, he seems inclined to throw up the sponge.

The tug of war is to come off with a vengeance on Boxing day in the Caledonian grounds Kensington. There will not exactly be a meeting of Greek with Greek, but there will be something quite as good, Indeed, as the modern Greek is reported degenerate in Borne degree we may look for something better. It is to take thejehapeof a hurling match between the local members of the H.A.C.8.5., and the Donedin Irish Riflhe. We do net meantime know which side must

command our special sympathies. The honour of old Ireland Beems particularly involved in the success of a society bearing her name, even though it be only in Latin. But then if the Riftes do not show themselves invincible men how are we to look forward with any confidence to an invasion of the colony ? Both sides, however, are bound to do their best, as so much depends upon their prowess, and a spanking contest must be the result.

The Presidential election has resulted in the victory of General Harrison. Mr. Cleveland evidently owes his defeat; to the strong tendency shown by his Government to favour British interests, even at the expense of those of the United States. Hi 3 taiiff proposals, for instance, were reasonably so interpreted, and the Fisheries Treaty supported by him inclined clearly in such a direction. When he found the feeling of the country going against him on the point referred to, he sought to reoover bis position by an unceremoniou 8 dismissal of the British Minister at Washington, on sjme pretence variously reported to us. But even had this step been well judged, it was too late, and, according to appearances, it was in every respect a mistake. General Harrison bears a high reputation, particularly in Indiana, where he had been brought up. He^is looked upon as a man •f true independence of spirit, and broad and manly views. It is of deep interest to us, moreover, to know that a man occupying thu exalted place of President, has declared himself unreservedly and notably in •ympathy with the Irish cause. " I would rather." he said, in welcoming the Irish delegates, Esmonde and O'Connor, to Indianapolis, last December, "I would rather be William O'Brien in Tullamore Gaol, a martyr to free speech, than the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in Dublin Castle." The speaker now occupies a much more exalted position than any Lord Lieutenant ever held, and we may be confident that his sympathies are still with free speech and freedom generally. TVe, therefore, hail in General Harrison's election, a most auspicious event.

The Parnell commission still proceeds with the promise of dragging aweary length, as intended. Mr. Parnell gives it as his opinion that the inquiry will extend over 12 months, during which time we must •xpect to see the evideace brought forward to implicate the National yarty in crime reported of ascertain proofs. Probably, we shall have to wait from week to week for the mails to bring us just details of the trial, as we can hardly place much reliance on the cable. Sir James Hannen has ruled in favour of the Tunes, and contrary to the argument of Sir Charles Russell, that the Times is not bound to show that the Parnellites were connected with the outrages concerning which evidence is tendered by it, and this ruling is considered likely to prolong the inquiry. Fortunately Lord Kinncar has decided that Mr. Parnell's Scotch action m\y proceed, and that will afford some re lef and bring the truth more rapidly before the public.

Otjb readers will be gratified to learn thrt Mr. Thomas Bracken has once more taken up hi 3 residence in Dunedin. He has received the appomtment of local Secretary of the National Mutuil Life Association of Australasia. This Society is the oldest Victorian Mutual Office, and the Melbourne Argus placts it in the same category with the Australian Mutual Provident of Sydney. Speaking of the •uccess of the National Mutual the Scottish Banking and Insurance Magaaine a leading authority on financial matteis siys : — '• No other Company in the mother couutry or the colonies has approached the^e figures ia the twelfth year of its Lxistence. and the Directors and principal officers may well be proud of the po a ition attained by their , Association. Everything has been done to liberalise the coodiiions of toe Policy consistent with safety. The result of this foresight, combined of course with financial siull and intense hard work, is a showing winch makes minagers in the United Kingdom Btare with astonishment." Eight yeirs have elapsed since the foregoing remarks were written, and the results of the business of the National Mutua^ have been during the laiter term evea more satisfactory tnan those recorded by the journal in question. Although we have little in common with that American " Evange.ic »1 " spread-eagle of the pulpit, Dr. Talmage, the following observations of his on the subj 'Ct of Life Insurai c; are, iv our opinion worthy (f consideration : -" In this day God has mercifully ail jwed those of us who have a limited income to make piovuiou for our families through the great life insurance companies all over the lan 1. By some se f -denial on our part we ein make this provision f>r those we shall leave behind us. Is there anything so helpless as a woman whose husband has just died, when, with her children at her back, s ie g ;>es out to fight for her bread .' Shall sh ; become a meniil servant in someone else's household ? Shall she sew for a living ' God knows they get bit six and c iyht cents for making garments. Ah, no! you had better have your coffin made Urge enough to take all with you into that land where they never freeze or starve. How a man with no surplus of estate, but s ill enough money to pay the premium on a life insurance policy, can refub; to do it, and ilit-n look his children in the face, aad pay his prayers at night on going to bjd, expecting them to be Ais vcn.il, is a mj stery to me that I have uever been able to fathom." We havf n ) <l> übt tie National Mutual under Mr. Bracken's management will receive a large shaie of suppoii

We have received from Mr. Thomas McKeogh, Cape Foulwind f the sum of £8, for transmission to the secretary of the National League at Dublin. The sum is made up bb follows: Balance of proceeds of ball on March 17, £4 7s ; contributed at a meeting for the establishment of a branch of the Lsague, £3 13s.

An immense gathering of priests and people frjm allpirtsof the country assembled at Armagh on Sunday (says the Nation of November 13), to witness the investment of the Mostßav. Dr. Logue the Primate, with th 3 Pallium. This solemn and interesting ceremony was performed by his Eminence Cardinal Moran. When the Pallium had been imposed, the Cardinal, taking for bis text " Feed my lambs feed my sheep," preached an eloquent sermon, in which he dilated on the past glories of Catholic Ireland, of the fidelity of her children, and their wonderful work as missionaries in other lands. At the conclusion he was presented with an address iv the name of the faithful of Armagh. His Eminence ia reply stated that he took part in the ceremonies oi the day bee i use they exhibited the link between the Church of Australia and the Church in Ireland. It is the ambition of the younger Church to imitate, if not rival the older. We are glad to record his Eminence's recognition of a relationship that had been occasionally ignored in the past.

The drawing of the grand Axt-Union at Napier is definitely fixed to come off on 3rd January. As the prizes are to ba drawn for on that day it is to be hoped that those who have books in band will do what they can to dispose of them, and return the blocks in good time, so that there will be no disappointmant.

Wb direct the attention of our readers to the success achieved by •ur Catholic Colleges and Convents at the Junior Public Examination recently held at the Sydney University. To Dunedinites it will ba gratifying to learn that the Christian Brothers' College at Brisbane, which occupies almost first position, is under the direction of Rev. Brother Bodkin, who for many years held the position of Director of the Christian Brothers' school of this city: Junior Public Examination, Sydney University : Marist Brothers' College, 20 pupils passed ; Marist Brothers' High school, 8 pupils passed ; Marist Brothers' St. Patrick's school, 1 pupil passed ; Christian Brothers', Brisbane (Rev. Brother Bodkin), 19 pupils pissed ; Christian Brothers', Balmain, 2 pupils passed ; Patrician Brothers', Albury, 2 pupils passed ; Patrician Brothers', Balburst, 1 pupil passed ; Patrician Brothers', RedfernJ 1 pupil passed ; St. Patrick's College, Goulbarn, 18 pupils passed ; Bt. Vincent's Collage, (ioulbum, 17 pupils passed ; St. Aloysius' Jesuit College, 1 pupil passed ; tUverview Jesuit College, 5 pupils passed ; St. Stanislaus College, Bithurst, 6 Ipupils passed ; Good Samaritaa Conrent,Sydney, 2 pupils passed ; Good Simaritaa Convent,Rosebank, 3 pupils passed ; Good Samaritan Convent, Newtown, 2 pupils passed ; Good Simaritan Conveat, Ba.lma.in, 1 pnpil passed; Presentation Nuns, Lismjre. 3 pupils parsed ; Pres:ntation Conveat, Wagga-Wagga, 1 pupil passed ; All Hallows' Convent, Brisbane, 4 pupils passed ; Convent of Mercy. Albury, 1 pupil pasted ; Convent of Mercy, Goulbnrn. 3 pupils passed ; Sacred Heart College, Maitland, 2 pupils passed .

Wk see a statement to the eft jet that the Bey. W. E. Addis, an Oxford convert to the Catholic Church, and a member of the congregation of the Oratory, has reconsidered hiß position and withdrawn from the Church. Tuis announcement, however, does not come upon us with any surprise. We are ready to receive it as most probable, and the consequence to be exp<;ctjd from certain of Father Addis's contributions to the " Catholic Dictionary," of whici he was editor The late Mr. Mac Master, of the New York Freeman's Journal, who had don-; more perhaps than any man of his time to unmask what was irregular and unorthodox, and lo bring about the amendment of abases iv Catholic affairs, was the first to Bound the note of alarm an 1 the subject was afterwarla taken up in the Month, wbere a full exposure ami c erection were mide. Ths conversiou and subsequent lapse of men like Father A Idis, of which several cases have occurred, is uo doubt due to soma impeif jction in the w )rk of conversion. The convens an; probably mora dissatisfiad with Protestantism tnan imbued wnh the true Catholic spine, and, therefore, the Church has no hold on them. It ia this tact that should make those who are en£a<j;ed in the work of conversion duly cautious, and not ready without full trial to receive, and perhaps imprudently encourage, every ne )phyte who pre-tnts himself to th' m We may add, in connection with tt.e outcry ie -ently made as to the danger of alarming intending converts by the t-ympathy shown by the lash priesthood with the Nationals us .tnat.instoa 1 of th".ir deploring it,the matter might rat her be icgarded with favour as a method of putting the sincerity of the ie i^iouß intentions of the catechumen to the teat. We regret Father Addi&'s fill, therefore, if it be true, but we are not surprised by it. Tue rev. gentleman, we are told again, in withdrawing from his Catholic mission expresses himself as rilled with sorrow fjr being obliged to relinquish associations that have formed the happiest diys of hia life. But, although a man may be unfortunate enough to lose hia religious faith, we do not consi ier that he must necessarily become bereft of all gcntleinaniv s >ntimeits. A r 'd, as a matter of fact, we do not fiud thu many cf those so lapsed be:ora; the sland3rers of the Church they have deserted. That degrade! calling is left to low fellows or lower women, \vh ) find m the mud- element of the Protestant or Freetmnkina; t>ects their true home, and work out there by their abominable vomi iog the fuitier degradation of thamsehe-i. if possible, but certainly that of their hearers.

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